In keeping with the "new novel," this brief story has only three characters, one of whom, the child, appears only at the beginning of each part. He speaks only of his physical needs: he is hungry, thirsty, tired. In the second part, his name, Jacques, is revealed. He is evidently a charming child, for he elicits a sympathetic smile from the gentleman. The child is the catalyst that engages the man and the woman in conversation.

The other two characters have no names; they address each other only as "Sir" (Monsieur) and "Miss" (Mademoiselle). The young girl is in her early twenties, but the age of the gentleman is not revealed, although it is assumed that he is older. The scene takes place in Paris, but the origin of these two people is unknown as well. There is no physical or psychological description.

They reveal themselves only through...